Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to Ukraine to show his support for the country’s injured individuals after his recent trip to the UK. Rather than flying to Los Angeles as anticipated, the Duke of Sussex, aged 40, opted to take an overnight train to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in response to an invitation from a charity leader.
Known for his advocacy for wounded veterans, Prince Harry was joined by a team from the Invictus Games Foundation to introduce new initiatives aimed at aiding rehabilitation efforts in Ukraine. The foundation’s goal, as expressed to The Guardian, is to extend assistance to all regions affected by the conflict, as an estimated 130,000 people have been left with permanent disabilities.
During his train journey, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of humanizing the experiences of those impacted by the war and raising awareness about their struggles. He mentioned that while he cannot end the conflict, he is committed to supporting the recovery process and ensuring that the public remains informed about the situation in Ukraine.
The Prince’s visit was prompted by an invitation from Olga Rudnieva, the founder of the Superhumans Trauma Centre in Lviv, who stressed the significance of his presence in Kyiv. Prior to confirming his trip, Prince Harry consulted with his wife, Meghan Markle, and the British government, ultimately receiving an official invitation to visit the war-torn capital.
Prince Harry’s itinerary in Ukraine includes a visit to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, engagements with 200 veterans, and a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This visit marks his second busy week of official engagements following his charitable activities in the UK.